Mel Kosmin: Israel’s quandary

Regarding William Jackson’s Aug. 27 Point of View “Israel’s dangerous miscalculation”: I have to disagree with the writer’s characterization of the situation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s first responsibility is to Israel and its people. What foreign policy or ultimatum that the White House has decreed has been upheld? How many red lines have been crossed without consequences? How could our secretary of state ask Israel to cease and desist from destroying the tunnels that jeopardize Israel’s safety and security?

Regarding William Jackson’s Aug. 27 Point of View “ Israel’s dangerous miscalculation”: I have to disagree with the writer’s characterization of the situation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s first responsibility is to Israel and its people. What foreign policy or ultimatum that the White House has decreed has been upheld? How many red lines have been crossed without consequences? How could our secretary of state ask Israel to cease and desist from destroying the tunnels that jeopardize Israel’s safety and security?

Israel requires a strong, verifiable and internationally supported agreement with the Palestinians. It does not seem to me that we, the United States, know how to successfully negotiate that. Therefore, Israel must. Perhaps the problem is that private statements have become public and not that Netanyahu made them in the first place.